Queen Mary recognises outstanding individuals at winter graduations
As part of Queen Mary University of London’s 2025 winter graduation ceremonies, Paul Stephen and Dr Peter Waggett were recognised for the significant contributions they have made to their respective fields.
Paul Stephen and Dr Peter Waggett, Winter 2025 Honorands
Paul and Peter were chosen because their work embodies Queen Mary’s aims, ambitions and values, and because they both mirror the University’s 240-year ethos of inclusivity and opening the doors of opportunity to anyone with the potential to succeed.
Paul Stephen, Awarded a Fellowship.
Paul Stephen was Principal and Chief Executive of Newham College of Further Education, London’s top-performing further education college, from 2017 to 2025. In that time, Paul worked closely with Queen Mary on a number of successful projects, including securing £28million in funding from the Department for Education and Greater London Authority to establish the London City Institute of Technology.
Paul also supported the development of Queen Mary’s Civic University Agreement and was a valued member of the University’s Civic Advisory Board. In this role, Paul gave support and guidance to help Queen Mary determine area of focus that will ensure the University delivers positive, impactful change across East London.
On receiving his fellowship, Paul said: “I am delighted to accept the award of Fellowship from Queen Mary University of London. Throughout my career I have helped to form successful partnerships between distinctive organisations, and the relationship with Queen Mary is one of which I am truly proud.
“In Queen Mary, I found a values-driven organisation whose staff showed vision, curiosity and ambition to create a powerful alliance that is already improving the educational experience and opportunities for the local communities we serve.”
Dr Peter Waggett, Awarded an Honorary Doctor of Sciences (DSc)
An alumnus of Queen Mary, Dr Peter Waggett graduated from the University with an undergraduate degree in astrophysics. After this, he completed a PhD in astronomy, after which he moved to the commercial sector, joining a scientific consultancy, which was subsequently acquired by IBM. Dr Waggett is now the Research Director at IBM, running their UK research programme.
Committed to giving back, Dr Waggett actively works with Queen Mary colleagues to find ways to support his Alma Mater. Whether it’s connecting staff and students with opportunities at IBM, or helping secure grants that open the doors for technology experts to engage with quantum computing on a global scale, Dr Waggett works to ensure that new generations of students are given the same transformative opportunities that he benefited from himself, during his time at Queen Mary.
Speaking on receiving his award, Dr Waggett said: “As the first person in my family to attend University, the opportunities and support from Queen Mary during my BSc course gave me all I needed to follow a research career path.
“My success in academic and industrial research roles would not have been possible without attending Queen Mary and I am honoured to accept this award for myself, and as a representative of those students that Queen Mary has opened research career paths for.”